—Will a pressure or suction cleaner work most effectively in your swimming pool?

Automatic swimming pool cleaners handle a daily cleaning chore that you would otherwise need to do by hand. So including one on your pool is a no-brainer. But what kind of pool cleaner will be right for your pool and backyard?

—Make the right choices for the microclimate around your pool and patio

Guest Author: Tony Steine

When homeowners build a swimming pool, they often add landscaping to complete the project with style and beauty. A common approach is to pick your favorite plant varieties. However, this could be a mistake.

—Yes, you can include this relaxing, functional feature during a major renovation

A Baja shelf on a swimming pool delivers a big win for both relaxation and convenience. And for existing pool owners, the good news is that you can add this handy, attractive feature during a major pool renovation.

Ready to build a swimming pool and deciding which features to include with your new backyard oasis? If health and wellness are important to you and your family, making a hydrotherapy spa part of the plan for your new aquatic retreat is a smart move.

—How high temperatures, dry conditions, and moist air can disrupt building progress

When the weather outside is unbearably hot—and in some regions, made worse by high humidity—it’s the perfect time to cool off in a new swimming pool. But in some cases, scorching conditions pose a seriously bad time for pool builders working to finish certain construction phases for your new pool.

How big, how deep, what shape?—Fundamental design factors for concrete pools

You’ve decided to build a backyard swimming pool, but don’t know exactly how to begin. Particularly with a concrete (gunite/shotcrete) pool, the process is rather detailed, with a wide range of design and construction elements to discuss with your pool builder.